Personal Info --- Research Interests --- Publications --- University Work --- Further Interests/Free & Open Source GIS

Personal Info

Stefan Steiniger

 . PhD in Geography (2007), University of Zurich (CH) 
. Dipl. Ing. (MSc) in Geodesy (2003), Technische Universität Dresden (GER),

Since July 2010 I am working again with Andrew Hunter at the University of Calgary (CAN), but now on the PlanYourPlace project.

contact sstein[-at-]geo.uzh.ch
perriger[-at-]gmx.de
stefan

bio-sketch

 From October 201o to June 2011 I have been backpacking in Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, to get to know these beautiful countries, and to learn Spanish (the picture above is near Puerto Madryn, ARG). Previously from Sept. 2009 to Sept. 2010 I was within the group of Andrew Hunter at the University of Calgary (UofC) as a PostDoctoral Fellow developing tools and methods for Home Range analysis for Grizzyl Bear GPS data. I also did research in Landscape Ecology and object based image analysis with  Geoffrey J. Hay  from Feb 2008 to July 2009 at the UofC.

From 2004 until 2007 I did my PhD research within the GIS Division of the University of Zurich, under supervision of Prof. Robert Weibel.

Since quite some time now, i.e. 2005, I  am a (co-)project leader of the JUMP Pilot Project which maintains the free desktop GIS OpenJUMP.
internships       
GEF RIS AG - now part of Bentley Systems - Geospatial, Leimen (GER) - 6 months in 2003/2004
Centroid OY - now part of SITO and InPlace, Espoo (FI) - 7 months in 2001/2002

 

Research Interests
 
My research interests are focusing on three areas within GISystems & Science and its application:
  1. Automated Cartography & Map Generalization,
  2. The development of spatial analysis algorithms for landscape and wildlife ecology, and
  3.  Free and open source GIS software developments and adoption in teaching, research, and business.
My PhD project at the University of Zurich covered one part of the DEGEN project - Data Enrichment for automated map GENeralization - that was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF). The final thesis was entitled "Enabling Pattern-Aware Automated Map Generalization" [pdf-small; pdf-large], and covered the following topics:
  • perception based pattern recognition approaches for the structural analysis of topographic and categorical (vector) maps
  • cartometrics and map object relations
  • discriminant analysis algorithms for urban structure recognition
  • map generalisation modeling and control: Multi-Agent-Systems, Genetic Algorithms
  • map generalisation and signal processing algorithms: Snakes, TAFUS, Wavelets
The second part of the project was done by Moritz Neun who developed a novel web service for web-based map generalization and GIS-(analysis) called WebGen (see also here)

These research topics mentioned above are also covered within my project "PAGEVIS-LD - Pattern-Aware GEneralisation and VISualization of Land-use and Land-cover Data", carried out at the University of Calgary. This project started in Feb. 2008 and will last until March 2010. It is financed as well by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

I also gained an interest in GIS application for Landscape Ecology and Animal Movement Analysis. Hence, I was working with Andrew Hunter on the agenda of the Foothills Research Institute Grizzly Bear Program to develop GI tools for home range analysis based on GPS collar data.

Most of the developments for my research have been done with OpenSource GIS tools and libraries (especially with OpenJUMP GIS; see also below).

Apart from the topics above I also touched other topics in GIS research, such as
  • Urban built-up patterns and their correlation with socio-economic data (student project)
  • Morphologic and vegetation dependent filtering of LIDAR data (student project)
  • Location-Based Services
  • Optimal Xylomigrant placement constrained by mirco-scale traffic behavoiur. :o)

 

Publications

  • journal articles and book chapters (peer-reviewed) : please send an email if you are interested in the manuscript
Steiniger, S. and A.J.S. Hunter,  in press (to be published end of in 2011).
Free and open source GIS software for building a spatial data infrastructure. In E. Bocher and M. Neteler (eds):  Geospatial Free and Open Source Software in the 21st Century: Proceedings of the first Open Source Geospatial Research Symposium, 2009, LNGC, Springer, Heidelberg, in press [2nd manuscript pdf, slides of the COSSFest 2010 talk, video of COSSFest 2010 talk]
Steiniger, S. and R. Weibel; (2010).
GIS software. In: B. Warf (ed): Encyclopaedia of Geography, SAGE Publications. <http://www.sage-ereference.com/geography/Article_n518.html>
note: a similar version is downloadable as "GIS software - A description in 1000 words" (year 2009)
Steiniger, S., P. Taillandier and R. Weibel; 2010.
Utilising urban context recognition and machine learning to improve the generalisation of buildings. Int. J. of Geographical Information Science 24(2): 252-283. [Informaworld Link, manuscript version]
Steiniger, S. and G.J. Hay; 2009.
Free and open source geographic information tools for landscape ecology. Ecological Informatics 4(4): 183-195. [ScienceDirect link; manuscript version]
Steiniger, S. and E. Bocher; 2009.
An overview on current free and open source desktop GIS developments. Int. J. of Geographical Information Science 23(10): 1345-1370. [Informaworld Link, 1st manuscript version]
Steiniger, S., T. Lange, D. Burghardt and R. Weibel; 2008.
An approach for the classification of urban building structures based on discriminant analysis techniques. Transactions in GIS 12(1): 31-59. [Blackwell Link; manuscript version]
Steiniger, S., and R. Weibel; 2007.
Relations among map objects in cartographic generalization. Cartography and Geographic Information Science (CaGIS) 34(3): 175-197. [Ingenta Link; manuscript version]
Meier, S. and S. Steiniger; 2005.
Linieglättung mit Snakes als Filteroperation. Photogrammetrie, Fernerkundung und Geoinformation (PFG) 8(4): 311- 320. [German - pdf] [the extended english version "Snakes: a technique for line smoothing and displacement in map generalisation." can be found below]

  • manuscripts in progress/submitted : please send an email if you are interested in the manuscripts
Steiniger, S. and A.J.S. Hunter,  in progress.
The 2010 free and open source GIS software map - a guide to facilitate research, development and adoption. To be submitted a.s.a.p.
Steiniger, S. and A.J.S. Hunter,  in progress.
OpenJUMP HoRAE – A free GIS and toolbox for home range analysis. To be submitted. [for the software toolbox see also this wiki page]
Steiniger, S. and A.J.S. Hunter,  in progress.
A scaled line-based kernel density estimator for the retrieval of utilization distributions and home ranges from GPS movement tracks. To be submitted. [for the software toolbox see also this wiki page]

  • conference and workshop papers (full paper review)
Steiniger, S., D. Burghardt and R. Weibel; 2006.
Recognition of Island Structures for Map Generalization. In: Proceedings of ACM-GIS'06, Arlington, Virginia, pp. 67-74. [pdf]
 "© ACM, (2006). This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of ACM for your personal use. Not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in ACM-GIS, November 10-11, 2006. http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/1183471.1183484"
Steiniger, S. and R. Weibel; 2005.
Relations and structures in categorical maps. In: 8th ICA Workshop on Generalisation and Multiple Representation, A Coruña, Spain. [pdf]
Steiniger, S. and S. Meier; 2004
Snakes: a technique for line smoothing and displacement in map generalisation. In: 7th ICA Workshop on Generalisation and Multiple Representation, Leicester, GB. [pdf]

  • conference and workshop papers and extended abstracts (abstract review)
Steiniger, S., T.L. Timmins and A.J.S Hunter; 2010.
Implementation and comparison of home range estimators for grizzly bears in Alberta, Canada, based
on GPS data. GIScience 2010, Zurich, Switzerland. [Extended Abstract - pdf, Poster - pdf]
Steiniger, S. and A.J.S Hunter; 2010.
Teaching GIScience with free and open source software? - A first assessment. GIScience 2010, Zurich, Switzerland. [Extended Abstract - pdf]
Hunter, A.J.S. and S. Steiniger; 2010.
Implementing a spatial data infrastructure successfully with free and open source software? ISPRS Com I and Canadian Geomatics Conference. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. [Extended Abstract - pdf, full paper published in the OGRS proceedings book- see above, slides of the COSSFest 2010 talk, video of my COSSFest 2010 talk]
Steiniger, S. and G.J. Hay; 2008.
An experiment to assess the perceptual organization of polygonal objects. In A. Klippel and S. Hirtle (eds): You-Are-Here-Maps - Creating a Sense of Place through Map-like Representation. Spatial Cognition 2008, Freiburg, Germany, pp. 38-44. [Extended Abstract - pdf]
Steiniger, S., G. Castilla and G.J. Hay; 2008.
From image-objects to maps: an assessement of cartographic requirements for GEOBIA. GEOBIA 2008, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. [Abstract - pdf, presentation]
Steiniger, S. and P. Taillandier; 2007.
Improving map generalisation of buildings by introduction of urban context rules. In: Proceedings of GeoComputation 2007, Maynooth, Ireland. [Extended Abstract - pdf]
Steiniger, S., R. Weibel and D. Burghardt; 2006.
Recognition of large island structures for map generalization. In: M. Raubal, H. J. Miller, A. U. Frank and M. Goodchild (eds): Geographic Information Science. 4th Int. Conf., GIScience 2006, IfGIprints 28, pp. 351-254. [Extended Abstract - pdf - 3.6 MB], [Poster - pdf - Format A3].
Steiniger, S.; 2006.
Classifying urban structures for mapping purposes using discriminant analysis. In: G. Priestnall and P. Aplin (eds): Proceedings of GISRUK Conference 2006, Nottingham, pp. 107-111. [Extended Abstract - pdf]
Neun, M. and S. Steiniger; 2005.
Modelling cartographic relations for categorical maps. In: Proceedings of the International Cartographic Conference, A Coruña, Spain (CD-ROM). [pdf]
Burghardt, D. and S. Steiniger; 2005.
Usage of principal component analysis in the process of automated generalisation.  In: Proceedings of the International Cartographic Conference, A Coruña, Spain (CD-ROM). [pdf]
Steiniger, S. and R. Weibel; 2005.
A conceptual framework for automated generalization and its application to geologic and soil maps. In: Proceedings of the International Cartographic Conference, A Coruña, Spain (CD-ROM). [pdf]
 
  • other (thesis & educational docs)
Steiniger, S. and M. Michaud; 2009.
The Desktop GIS OpenJUMP: A hands-on introduction. Software tutorial held at OGRS 2009, Nantes, France. [pdf, data and software can be downloaded there as well]
Steiniger, S.; 2007.
Enabling Pattern-Aware Automated Map Generalization. PhD thesis.
Department of Geography, University of Zürich. [pdf - low-res; pdf-medium-res]
Steiniger, S., M. Neun and A. Edwardes; 2006.
Lecture Notes: Foundations of Location Based Services.
Department of Geography, University of Zürich. [pdf] (see also project CartouCHe below)
Steiniger, S.; 2003.
Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Linienglättung mit Snakes und Wavelets. MSc./Diploma thesis.
Technical University Dresden. (engl. translation: Comparative Tests on Cartographic Line Smoothing Using Wavelets and Active Splines.) [pdf]


University work at University of Calgary (2008-2010)

a) teaching & supervision
  • sessional lecturer for GIS II (Geo 457), Department of Geography, Winter 2010
  • participation/co-preparation of Modelling and Statistics Learning and Discussion Group (since my arrival of course ;)
  • co-supervison of student projects
  • co-supervision of three "Google Summer of Code" students in 2008 & 2009
  • guest lecture on GIS Software for Geo 647  in 2008
  • course assistant for field course "Forestry and GIS" , Geo 537, in 2009

University work at University of Zurich (2004-2007)

a) Contributions  to the cartographic e-learning Project CartouCHe:
  • Several parts of Lesson 1 - Foundations of Location Based Services (LBS)
  • Reviewing other lessons
  • A paper version of the first Lesson from LBS Module can be downloaded here [pdf]
    it covers the following chapters:
  1. What are Location Based Services? --- GIS and LBS, Components, Keywords, Push and Pull Services
  2. How are LBSs useful? --- User actions and goals, Information needs, Applications
  3. What’s special about it? --- Context, Adaption, Privacy, Adaption examples
  4. How does it work? --- Services request processing, Mobile devices, Mobile networks, Mobile positioning
    Architectural requirements, Service types – OpenLS, Data provider

b) Student Supervision : Studenten Betreuung

  • GIS II - Computer Excercises for Geographers, University of Zürich, terms: WS 2005/06 and WS 2006/07,
    two introductory lesson and weekly supervsion of one student group (30 people) during computer excercises

  • MSc./Diploma thesis supervision, University of Zürich

    • Christian Sailer: Algorithmen zur Filterung von LIDAR-Daten im Sihlwald. (Oct. 2005 - Dec. 2007),   2nd supervisor: Ross Purves, 3rd supervisor: Ronald Schmid
      Objective has been the filtering of LIDAR point data of the nature reserve area Sihlwald for DEM generation.
      The thesis compared different existing laser point filter algorithms with respect to:
      1. morphology - strong vs. flat slopes, and
      2. vegation - forrest vs. non-forrest area

    • Stefan Schmid: Automated Constraint-Based Evaluation of Cartographic Generalisation. (Nov. 2006 - Jun. 2008) [pdf]. 1st supervisor: Dirk Burghardt. The thesis was part of a larger EuroSDR project on the "State of the art in generalisation" led by Jantien Stoter (ITC Enschede)

c) University Boards
  • until Sept. 2007 elected member of Institutsversammlung of the Department of Geography (GIUZ)



Further Interests
 

.Activities

 the usual things.. hiking, Tai Chi, books (from Murakami and D. Adams to Hesse), music (from Sigur Ros and Thievery Cooperation to Blumfeld)

. Free and OpenSource GIS Software

I am project administrator of the Jump Pilot Project and developer for OpenJUMP GIS.
Own extensions for the OpenSource GIS  OpenJUMP (or www.openjump.org) which is based on the Java Unified Mapping Plattform JUMP by VividSolutions can be found below.

  • Finally in 2010, I had a look on free software that can be used to build Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs). The resulting paper we wrote and a talk are availble for for download too: paper, slides of the talk, video.

downloadable tools:
1. Home Range Analysis Toolbox (HoRAE) : for animal movement analysis based on GPS collar data. For more information pls. see this wiki page.

2. first beta version of a plugin with attribute classification and plotting functions.

3. Landscape Pattern Extension: An extension to extract edges, core area, patches, corridors, branches and shortcut areas as described in (Vogt et al. 2007- Ecol. Ind.) but with buffer operations. The extension provides also a set of metrics to describe single polygons and their neighboorhood: e.g. x-centroid, y-centroid, area, perimeter, concavity, elongation, shape index, Schumm's shape index, fractal dimension, MBR orientation, three buffer density indices, R-Index.

4. SelectionToolBox V0.9 it contains the following tools:
- copy selected items from one layer to another one
- zoom to a user defined scale
- display of current scale
- select all items in a layer
- select items by circle
- select items within a fence
note: these functions are already part of OpenJUMP

5. SaveImageAsSVG this Jump Plugin uses the BATIK SVG libraries.
          note: this function is already part of OpenJUMP

6. MapGenToolbox V1.0 conatins a number of map generalization algorithms:
- Building Spread Narrow Parts
- Enlarge Building to Rectangle
- Square Building Walls
- Eliminate Small Buildings
- Eliminate “Points in Line” of Building
- Simplify Building
- Simplify Building to Rectangle
- Change Elongation of Building
- Displace Lines
- Line Smoothing Simple Version
- Line Simplify JTS 1.5 Algorithm
- Merge Polygons
6. Clean and convert ArcGIS Contour- MultiLinestring to LineStrings
  CleanArcgisContours

The plugin should work with OpenJump, Jump and Jumpi18n.
The actual language is english but you can create other language files (therefore you need to be familar with programming - or you contact me and is send you the strings to translate to your language)
input:
1 - load the shp file containing the contours created in ArcGIS into Jump
2 - call the menu item "Clean ArcGIS contours" (contained in Tools menu).
3 - specify the layer which should be checked

It does not work perfectly and one has to check after application if it has not missed (splitted) a line segment.
Use therefore the different output layers (eg. "not assigend lines")
The result is given in a layer called "clean lines". The problems can be solved manually using functions like replicate (in SelectionToolbox), copy and a function from the the ISA plugin (?) which connects Linestrings

NB: the algorithm checks if a contour is a MultiLineString. If yes it starts to concat the single Linesegements by selecting an initial start segment (a long one) and looking for touching Linestrings. Then it is checked if the found touching segments are closed (if yes they are not any more a candidate) and then the longest segment is selected and added.

If problems occure, please notify me.